Skateboards
Patricia Lakin
Skateboards
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patricia Lakin
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Jake Eshelman doesn’t just build skateboards—he creates magic on wheels! Each board is made by hand, turning ordinary wood into something amazing. Discover why every skateboard he crafts is a masterpiece that skaters dream about.
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces children to the art of handmade skateboard crafting through the story of Jake Eshelman, a skilled craftsman. Geared towards ages 5-8, it offers insight into creativity and craftsmanship with simple language suitable for beginning readers. The book contains no intense content and focuses on the joy of making and skateboarding.
Why we rated Skateboards 7C
Skateboards is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Skateboards works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Skateboards as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Skateboards explores sports, craftsmanship, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, craftsmanship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481448338
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction